Page 23 - Issue 70
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Vol 1 - issue 70 ELITE
During the concluding discussion, Regarding the Christian population, he
several questions were raised by faculty noted that a significant portion has
members. Professor Aladdin Hilal emigrated. Those who remain lack real
inquired about the feasibility of political representation and have been
federalism as a solution to preserve largely marginalized from decision-
national unity while granting local making centers.
governance to various components. As for the potential resettlement of
Ambassador Az El-Din replied that Palestinian refugees in Syria, Ambassador
while federalism may be theoretically Az El-Din acknowledged that the idea has
sound, it is not realistically applicable been discussed behind closed doors but is
in Syria’s current context. It faces broad widely rejected due to its demographic
public rejection, lacks support from key and sectarian sensitivity in an already
factions, and there is no serious strained society.
political will to adopt it. Finally, one faculty member asked about
A question was also raised regarding Egypt’s potential role in this complex
Turkey's role. The Ambassador asserted landscape. The Ambassador replied that
that Ankara has moved beyond mere Egypt could indeed play a pivotal role—if
influence to actual occupation. It it adopts a comprehensive strategic vision
administers areas under its control as if and employs its diplomatic, historical,
they were part of its territory and is and cultural tools effectively, moving
working to engineer demographic beyond a posture of cautious detachment.
changes through displacement and
resettlement, making its withdrawal The session concluded with Dr. Ahmed
unlikely without comprehensive Youssef expressing his deep gratitude to
international agreements. Ambassador Ramzy Az El-Din for his
When asked about the status of civil rich and field-informed analysis, and to
society organizations, the Ambassador Dr. Nevine Massad for her thoughtful
responded that they were active at the and critical commentary. He praised the
onset of the crisis but now operate participating faculty members for their
under highly restrictive conditions. valuable interventions and emphasized
They are treated with constant that this event reflects the department’s
suspicion, face challenges in funding, commitment to thoughtful engagement
registration, and fieldwork, and have with the region’s most pressing issues,
lost much of their effectiveness— offering academically grounded insights
especially as European support in a time when politics and tragedy
dwindled and local trust eroded due to intertwine.
their perceived foreign affiliations.
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